Abstract: A signal conversion circuit 2 comprises a differential amplifier portion 10 and a source follower portion 20. When differential voltage signals INp and INn are input to a first input terminal 5 and second input terminal 6 respectively, operations occurs either in a mode in which only the differential amplifier portion 10 operates, or a mode in which both the differential amplifier portion 10 and the source follower portion 20 operate, or a mode in which only the source follower portion 20 operates, according to the levels of the differential voltage signals INp and INn. The differential amplifier portion 10 and source follower portion 20 have fewer components compared with a circuit comprising two differential amplifier circuits. By this means, the circuit area can be reduced, and in addition current consumption can be reduced. Also, because the source follower portion 20 performs non-inverting amplification of the differential voltage signals INp and INn, high-speed operation is possible.

Abstract: A face recognition system includes: an image input section that acquires a facial image of a user; a database in which a feature value of a part of a face of a registered person is stored; a facial position detection section that detects a position of a part of a face from the facial image of the user; a feature value extraction section that extracts a feature value of the part of the face; and a recognition section that recognizes the user by comparing the feature value of the part of the face which is extracted by the feature value extraction section with the feature value of the part of the face of the registered person stored in the database, in which the user selects the part of the face from which the feature value is extracted.

Abstract: A document transporting device (30) serves as a platen cover to expose and cover platens (21A,21B). A document holder (5) is mounted on a predetermined mounting portion of the device (30). A lateral end of the document holder (5) is withdrawn from a predetermined position where the end is located, so that a document transport path (R) is exposed through an area in which the document holder (5) has been withdrawn. The document transport path (R) is exposed to the left or the right with respect to the front of the device (30).

Abstract: According to the present invention, highly accurate adjustment of the angles and positions of optical elements constituting an optical scanning unit can be easily performed. For a cylindrical lens that makes the light beam for exposing a photoreceptor converge on the surface of the photoreceptor, a frame is provided for holding the cylindrical lens therein. The frame is supported by two support portions for a chassis of the optical scanning unit such that the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens becomes parallel to the scanning direction of the photoreceptor. The optical scanning unit is configured such that the angle of the cylindrical lens in the longitudinal direction is adjustable in the sub-scanning direction of the photoreceptor at the support portion on the front side (operational side) of these support portions.

Abstract: A personal identification device of the present invention is provided with a registered data storage unit for storing registered data containing facial feature data for a registered user, a recognition parameter storage unit for storing recognition parameters, a image determination unit for determining whether or not the image quality of a user facial image input from an imaging device is appropriate, an adjustment unit for adjusting the settings of the imaging device or modifying the recognition parameters, in accordance with the result of determination carried out in the image determination unit, a feature extraction unit for extracting user facial feature data from a facial image, and a face recognition unit for comparing the extracted feature data with the registered data to determine whether or not the user is a registered user based on the result of comparison and the recognition parameters.

Abstract: A signal conversion circuit 2 comprises a differential amplifier portion 10 and a source follower portion 20. When differential voltage signals INp and INn are input to a first input terminal 5 and second input terminal 6 respectively, operations occurs either in a mode in which only the differential amplifier portion 10 operates, or a mode in which both the differential amplifier portion 10 and the source follower portion 20 operate, or a mode in which only the source follower portion 20 operates, according to the levels of the differential voltage signals INp and INn. The differential amplifier portion 10 and source follower portion 20 have fewer components compared with a circuit comprising two differential amplifier circuits. By this means, the circuit area can be reduced, and in addition current consumption can be reduced. Also, because the source follower portion 20 performs non-inverting amplification of the differential voltage signals INp and INn, high-speed operation is possible.

Abstract: A document reading device includes a document transport and, for reading a document image, an optical reader having a movable exposure which stops at a predetermined reading position and emits light onto the document. A guide member guides the document to the reading position to form a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a flat-plate face of a support, which supports the document being transported when it passes over the reading position. A transport path is formed with the support so that the document passing over the reading position is transported along the flat-plate face. A detection member detects a leading end position of the guide member, the predetermined reading position being set to within a predetermined distance in a transport direction from the leading end of the guide member, which is known beforehand to be stain-free.

Abstract: An embodiment of a paper feed apparatus is provided with a pressure varying mechanism that varies a load pressure of a pickup roller to originals. The pressure varying mechanism has a rotating lever that switches the load pressure, a rotating arm that contacts and presses against a swinging arm of the pickup roller, and a biasing portion that biases the rotating arm to the swinging arm when the rotating arm contacts to the swinging arm. When continuously reading a wad of originals in which different-size originals are mixed, due to a user operating the rotating lever, the load pressure to the originals is increased by making the rotating arm contact to the swinging arm such that the swinging arm is pressed by the biasing portion.

Abstract: According to the present invention, highly accurate adjustment of the angles and positions of optical elements constituting an optical scanning unit can be easily performed. For a cylindrical lens that makes the light beam for exposing a photoreceptor converge on the surface of the photoreceptor, a frame is provided for holding the cylindrical lens therein. The frame is supported by two support portions for a chassis of the optical scanning unit such that the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical lens becomes parallel to the scanning direction of the photoreceptor. The optical scanning unit is configured such that the angle of the cylindrical lens in the longitudinal direction is adjustable in the sub-scanning direction of the photoreceptor at the support portion on the front side (operational side) of these support portions.

Abstract: A connecting apparatus of the present invention includes a cable used for electrically connecting an apparatus main body section to a section rotatably supported by a hinge member with respect to said apparatus main body section, wherein the cable is provided in parallel to a rotation axis of the hinge member so as to be held by the apparatus main body section and the section, respectively, and the cable has a half-loop shape. Because the cable is provided in parallel to a rotation axis of the hinge member so as to be held by the apparatus main body section and the section, respectively, the torsional stress is dispersed in the half-loop of the cable when the cable is twisted by a rotation of the section rotatably supported. On this account, the stress is not concentrated, thereby reducing the stress applied to the cable, and improving a durability of the cable.

Abstract: A connecting apparatus of the present invention includes a cable used for electrically connecting an apparatus main body section to a section rotatably supported by a hinge member with respect to said apparatus main body section, wherein the cable is provided in parallel to a rotation axis of the hinge member so as to be held by the apparatus main body section and the section, respectively, and the cable has a half-loop shape. Because the cable is provided in parallel to a rotation axis of the hinge member so as to be held by the apparatus main body section and the section, respectively, the torsional stress is dispersed in the half-loop of the cable when the cable is twisted by a rotation of the section rotatably supported. On this account, the stress is not concentrated, thereby reducing the stress applied to the cable, and improving a durability of the cable.

Abstract: A document reading device includes a document transport and, for reading a document image, an optical reader having a movable exposure which stops at a predetermined reading position and emits light onto the document. A guide member guides the document to the reading position to form a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a flat-plate face of a support, which supports the document being transported when it passes over the reading position. A transport path is formed with the support so that the document passing over the reading position is transported along the flat-plate face. A detection member detects a leading end position of the guide member, the predetermined reading position being set to within a predetermined distance in a transport direction from the leading end of the guide member, which is known beforehand to be stain-free.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus including a beam emitter for emitting a light beam; a multi-facet rotary mirror having a plurality of reflective facets for reflecting the light beam emitted from the beam emitter and rotatable for scanning the light beam reflected on the reflective facets over a scanning object; an incident optical system for shaping the light beam emitted from the beam emitter to allow the light beam to have a greater width than a width of each of the reflective facets of the multi-facet rotary mirror as measured in a scanning direction for overfilled facet illumination and directing the light beam to the multi-facet rotary mirror; and an f&thgr; lens provided in a path of the light beam extending from the multi-facet rotary mirror to the scanning object; wherein the incident optical system comprises deflector configuration provided between the f&thgr; lens and the scanning object for deflecting the light beam emitted from the beam emitter toward the multi-facet rotary mirror so as to cause the li

Abstract: A working scheme reviewing and managing unit can display problems interfering with a working scheme to a plurality of staffs to realize the working scheme.

Abstract: A first slidable assembly provided in an image reading unit of a digital copier has the slider pieces attached to the frame of the slidable assembly body thereof so that the slider pieces will move sliding over the guide elements. The upper part of the slider piece is an insert portion which is fitted through a passage hole formed in the frame and has engaging portions that pass through the passage hole as being deformed and become engaged with the rim of the passage hole.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus comprising: beam emitting means for emitting a light beam; a multi-facet rotary mirror having a plurality of reflective facets for reflecting the light beam emitted from the beam emitting means and rotatable for scanning the light beam reflected on the reflective facets over a scanning object; an incident optical system for shaping the light beam emitted from the beam emitting means to allow the light beam to have a greater width than a width of each of the reflective facets of the multi-facet rotary mirror as measured in a scanning direction for overfilled facet illumination and directing the light beam to the multi-facet rotary mirror; and an f&thgr; lens provided in a path of the light beam extending from the multi-facet rotary mirror to the scanning object; wherein the incident optical system comprises deflection means provided between the f&thgr; lens and the scanning object for deflecting the light beam emitted from the beam emitting means toward the multi-facet rotary mirror

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for determining an endotoxin by reacting the endotoxin adsorbed on an adsorbent having specific endotoxin adsorbability with an endotoxin detecting reagent, including the steps of:(a) preparing a column having a tip opening, a rear end opening and an adsorbent-filling and holding means provided in the column through which a sample solution can pass,(b) introducing the endotoxin adsorbent into the column through the tip opening to fill and hold the adsorbent therein,(c) introducing the sample solution into the column through the tip opening and discharging the introduced sample solution through the rear end opening to contact the sample and the adsorbent and thereby adsorbing the endotoxin on the adsorbent, and(d) reacting the detecting reagent with the endotoxin adsorbed on the adsorbent.There is also disclosed an apparatus for the above method.

Abstract: A microorganism derived from a host microorganism capable of producing d-biotin by introducing a recombinant plasmid being incorporated with a biotin gene cloned from a microorganism of the genus Serratia capable of producing d-biotin and further integrating an exogenous biotin gene into the chromosome, and a process for preparing d-biotin which comprises cultivating the microorganism in a culture medium so that d-biotin is formed and accumulated in the culture medium and collecting the d-biotin. The microorganism of the invention has an extremely high productivity of d-biotin, and hence, d-biotin can be produced in a large amount by cultivating the microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes sheet accommodating cassette for accommodating sheets, a device for forming images on the sheets, a first sheet conveying passage for conveying the sheet to the image forming device from the sheet accommodating cassette, a conveyor for accommodating a bundle of sheets having been subjected to an image forming operation by the image forming means at first sides thereof in a form in which leading edges of the sheets are gradually deviated in a sheet advancement direction, and for conveying the bundle as a whole, a feeder, disposed downstream of the conveyor with respect to the sheet advancement direction, for feeding one by one the sheets of the bundle from the sheet closest to the feeder, a second sheet conveying passage merging into the first passage for refeeding to the image forming device the sheets fed by the feeder, and a confining device for confining the sheets of the bundle other than the sheet being fed by the feeder.

Abstract: A cover of a nut according to the present invention is constituted of a resilient body, having a cavity shaped so as to be prevented from turning by an operating means formed on the nut for convenience of turning the nut adapted to be engaged with the bolt and being equipped with a tubiform basal portion receiving the periphery of the nut engaged with the bolt to be fitted within said cavity and a hollow swelled portion extending integrally from one of the ends of said basal portion and closed at an end located far from the basal portion. Said resilient body is provided with a disengagement-proof means preventing the cover applied over the nut from slipping out of the nut after displacing in the direction of the axis of the nut.